Precision Air Takes Delivery of its 1st ATR 72-500

(Toulouse, February 28, 2008) -- Tanzania's Precision Air Services today accepted delivery of its first ATR 72-500. This first delivery follows a deal inked in 2006, for the purchase of 6 new '-500s' ATRs. In 2007, the airline booked an additional ATR 42-500.

With these 7 new '-500 series' aircraft (5 ATR 72-500s and 2 ATR 42-500s), Precision Air Services will renew its ATR fleet, which today consists of 4 ATR 42-320s and 3 ATR 72-210s. The remaining 6 ATRs are to be delivered from 2008 through 2010.

The delivery ceremony took place at ATR's final assembly line in Toulouse with Michael Shirima, the Board of Directors Chairman of Precision Air Services, Hon Basil Mramba, Guest of Honour and Honorable Member of the Parliament of Tanzania and Stephane Mayer, ATR CEO.

Michael Shirima said "he was pleased to take delivery of the first 'ATR-500 series', thus launching the modernization of our turboprop fleet with the most efficient and advanced aircraft of the regional market". He added: "The ATRs are very well adapted to the extreme weather conditions of Africa, and have proven themselves to be extremely reliable throughout our network". He concluded: "The performance of the '-500s' in hot and high environments will allow us to optimize our operating costs and will successfully contribute to the expansion of our network".

Stephane Mayer underlined "the vast presence of the ATRs in Africa, operating in some 20 countries. In the last two years, we have also sold almost 30 new aircraft to African carriers, a success that confirms the growth of the regional networks across the continent. Because of their ability to operate in all kinds of operating environments, with their ease of maintenance, reduced operating costs and environment friendliness, the ATR aircraft are very well adapted to the regional routes in Africa". And he concluded: "With their brand new ATRs, Precision Air Services will now be able to offer the many advantages of the '-500 series' to its passengers".

Source : ATR

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